Colic is a temporary self-limited condition, which occurs within the first few months of life. It is characterized by inconsolable crying of without a known cause(1). Despite appearing benign nature, some research has linked colic in infancy with complications in later life such as sleeping disorders and gastrointestinal issues(2). Furthermore, a colicky infant serves as a significant source for maternal anxiety, and depression, with it being the most common reason for seeking medical advice for children of this age(3). Despite the exact factors which result in colic in babies remaining unknown at present, recent research suggests that gut bacteria may play a key role(4).
Further studies have shown that probiotics may play a preventative role in the development of colic. A clinical study took place between 2010 and 2012 where children received Lactobacillus reuteri suspended in oil five times a day for three months. Parents of the children recorded a number of details including the number of minutes a day spent crying and the number of stools a day. Results claimed that those who received the probiotic strain had better stool frequency and spent half as long crying each day as the placebo group(6). However additional studies with this bacterium have seen divided results.